A contract has been signed for the construction of transparent barriers on the Coronado Bridge, aimed at preventing suicides at this location, which has been a tragic site since its opening in 1969.

The Coronado Bridge has been the site of more than 500 suicides, making it the second deadliest location in the country, surpassed only by the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco Bay. After a safety net was installed on the Golden Gate, suicides dropped by 70% in just one year, prompting the adoption of similar measures on the San Diego bridge.

The new barriers on the Coronado Bridge will be 10 feet (three meters) tall and completely transparent. The project is expected to be completed by 2028. Caltrans has approved $90 million of the $140 million required for the initiative, which has been in planning for over a decade.

While the exact impact of the barriers remains to be seen, they are expected to act as a deterrent and offer individuals a moment to reconsider their actions. This was the case recently when a doctor successfully intervened to stop a young man from jumping off the bridge.

The recent suicide of a 17-year-old high school student has reignited discussions about mental health and the urgent need for early intervention and support before it’s too late.